FAQ's
- What is the charge for singing lessons?
- What does my lesson fee cover?
- Where do I go for lessons?
- Do I need to buy music?
- Do I have to make a commitment before the first lesson?
- What happens if there are no vacancies?
- Can I share my lesson with a friend?
- What do singing students learn?
- What don’t singing students learn?
- How long does it take to learn to sing?
- What is the best age for beginning music lessons?
- What is a normal lesson like?
- What should I bring to my lessons?
- How do I pay my lesson fees?
- How do I know if I’m too sick to come to my lesson?
- Why do I need to give 24 hours notice to cancel a lesson?
- Can I take a break from lessons and start again at a later date?
- The Role of Parents
- How much practice do I need to do?
1. What is the charge for singing lessons?
Lesson Fees in 2010
30 minutes $30 (Children)
45 minutes $45 (Adults)
60 minutes $60 (Special arrangement only)
10% discount applies to payment of 10 lessons in advance.
2. What does my lesson fee cover?
The tuition fee includes one-on-one tuition with Sharon Tree; provision of a notebook; cd burning for rehearsal purposes; and incidental handouts. Occasional purchases of books of music will be recommended and are not included in the tuition fee.
3. Where do I go for lessons?
The Glengrove studio is located in a private home in Holder (Weston Creek area), less than 5 minutes from the Tuggeranong Parkway. **Please note that we have 2 indoor cats.**
Lessons are held during the hours of 9.00am–7.30pm, Monday to Thursday, and 9.00am–6.00pm on Friday.
4. Do I need to buy music?
Yes. Some music will be required. Every effort is made to recommend the purchase of music which will be economical. Under copyright legislation, all photocopying of music for private tuition is forbidden. Should a student wish to learn a song that is not in the Glengrove library (more than 2000 songs), then purchases may be needed. During lessons, songs are able to be purchased via the internet, at cost. If a client wishes the studio to transcribe a song for which there is no published sheet music, this will be charged at a rate of $30/hour.
5. Do I have to make a commitment before the first lesson?
No. A no-obligation meeting ($20) is held before enrolment proceeds. Please note that this meeting will only be scheduled once a vacancy is available. During this meeting, there will be a discussion of the expectations of both student and teacher, together with a more detailed description of the teaching approach taken. You will be asked to sing briefly. Should there be a mutual consensus that permanent lessons should be arranged, that will then be discussed. There is no obligation from teacher or student to pursue regular lessons at the end of the no-obligation meeting.
6. What happens if there are no vacancies?
There is sometimes a waiting list of interested singers. Prospective students are advised if this is the case at the point of initial enquiry, and other teachers are recommended.
7. Can I share my lesson with a friend?
In special circumstances, a shared lesson can be arranged. Factors involved in arranging this include the developmental stage of each singer. Therefore a decision to proceed with a shared lesson will only be made after meeting the prospective clients. The current studio will not accommodate more than 2 students at a time.
8. What do singing students learn?
- Correct body alignment
- Efficient breath management
- Coordination of vocal registers
- Broad appreciation for vocal anatomy
- Accurate articulation and diction
- Stylistic authenticity (appropriate diction and effects whether pop, jazz, music theatre, gospel, soul etc)
- How to practice
- Management of performance anxiety
- Presentation and performance skillsMicrophone technique
- Music appreciation
- General musicianship (rhythm, intonation, harmony, theory)
- Repertoire selection
- Use of music as encouragement to others
- How to discover and free one’s own voice.
9. What don’t singing students learn?
How to sound like a particular singer
How to sing repertoire inappropriate to skill level, age or life experience
How to compete only for personal gain
That one method fits all.
NB – Classical repertoire and operatic technique is not covered by Sharon Tree.
10. How long does it take to learn to sing?
While some progress will be observed in 4-6 weeks, vocal development is a long-term process. Unlike other instruments, everyone has been “playing” their voice before they ever start lessons! So there can be some bad habits to replace with good ones. It is recommended that a student complete two terms of lessons at least before an assessment is made about future possibilities. Most singers invest years in their craft.
11. What is the best age for beginning music lessons?
Junior beginners:
No age is too young to begin experiencing the joys of music. In fact the sooner that children are exposed to beat, rhythm and singing games and activities, the better. To this end, there are a number of groups available – for example, Kindermusik (www.kindermusik.com.au).
Children under the age of 7 will be assessed to determine the suitability of specialised music lessons (i.e., a lesson focusing exclusively on instrumental technique). If appropriate, a program of broader music lessons will be recommended to bridge into specialised lessons in the future.
One-on-one music tuition, however, takes on different elements of self-discipline and responsibility. A minimum requirement is that of reading, as children find it easier then to learn to read music and song lyrics.
Adult Beginners
No one is too old to commence singing lessons. All that is required is desire and some time for practice between lessons.
12. What is a normal lesson like?
Most lessons usually begin with a recap of the previous lesson and assigned practice tasks. We then move into warm up and technical exercises, and then into repertoire, where we apply the technical aspects under exploration. There will often also be elements of performance rehearsed.
13. What should I bring to my lessons?
Each student will be supplied with a notebook, in which will be recorded pertinent information from each lesson. It will include instructions for practice, and will also be used for communication with parents, if appropriate. Parents may gain insight into their child’s musical development by reading the notebook after the lesson every week.
Students should also bring any music books and folders that are currently in use. They are also welcome to bring along sheet music or recordings that they are interested in.
14. How do I pay my lesson fees?
Payment via electronic funds transfer is preferred for bulk payments. Bank account details are printed on each invoice and statement or are available upon request.
Payment by cash is suitable for lessons which are paid weekly.
Payments by cheque or money order are not accepted.
Payment by credit card or EFTPOS is not available.
15. How do I know if I’m too sick to come to my lesson?
I am very hoarse
I have been coughing a lot and need to clear my throat often
I can’t breathe deeply without coughing
I have a migraine or severe headache
I feel nauseous/am vomiting
I think I am contagious
I am sneezing a lot
Symptoms I can still attend a lesson with:
blocked nose/sinus so can only breathe through mouth
occasional coughing, throat clearing
mild headache
I think I’m coming down with a cold (your symptoms may be temporary, not viral)
lack of practice { ;-D )
Note: It is ok to sing with a head cold or hayfever. It really boils down to whether the symptoms are so irritating and distracting that singing becomes intolerable. It is not ok to sing with laryngitis (infection of the larynx leading to inability to make vocal sound) or if you’re very hoarse/croaky.
16. Why do I need to give 24 hours notice to cancel a lesson?
Because this is a professional service which supports a person's livelihood. Every effort is made to fill slots and this is only achievable on the day before.
Any inability to attend a scheduled lesson should be advised by contacting the studio’s mobile telephone or email as soon as possible. Cancellations advised before 24 hours of the lesson will be either rescheduled or credited. All cancellations inside 24 hours must be paid for at the usual rate.
Planned absences, such as family holidays, should be advised two weeks in advance, or as soon as practical.
Failure to attend a scheduled lesson, without notification or reasonable cause, will result in the full fee being charged for that lesson.
The only exceptions to this policy are those of an emergency nature, i.e. an incident which could not have been anticipated. These will be decided at the teacher's discretion.
Please note that there is a maximum number of lessons that can be fairly cancelled per term, not including public holidays.
17. Can I take a break from lessons and start again at a later date?
Yes. There is no guarantee, however, that the same time and day will be available at a future date.
18. The Role of Parents
Parents of students aged 17 and under are urged to take an active role in their child’s music education. The minimum requirements are perusal of the student notebook, helping the student develop a practice routine, reminders to take music books and notebook to lessons, and regular encouragement.
The value of parental involvement is so critical and has such enormous potential to facilitate student progress, that if a parent cannot make this commitment, their child’s enrolment will be reviewed.
19. How much practice do I need to do?
For the first 1-2 years of lessons, students under the age of 17 need parental guidance during practice every day.
Beginners should aim for 15-20 minutes of thoughtful practice, 4-5 times per week.
As technique progresses, this can be gradually increased.
If circumstances prevent sufficient practice, the lesson should not be cancelled. Rather, it will be a form of supervised practice.